Activities in Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, opened last week with the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, adding yet another major honour to his unending list of awards.
The Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC) honoured Wike with the Zik Prize for Good Governance penultimate Sunday in Lagos.
Chairman of PPRAC Advisory Board, Prof Jubril Aminu, while presenting the prestigious award to Wike, said the honour was in recognition of the Governor’s accomplishments in projects delivery, prudent management of scarce resources, human capital development and sound policy implementation .
In his response, Wike described the honour as a call on him to continue to serve the state and the nation to the best of his ability.
He said: “This is very great because this award was instituted annually to honour the first ceremonial president of Nigeria, Dr Nnandi Azikiwe.
“It is an award that will spur us further to continue to work for the people. It is not an award for us to relax”.
Thirty four projects would be commissioned during the events marking the 3rd Anniversary of Wike’s administration.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barr Emma Okah who disclosed this to newsmen after last week’s Executive Council Meeting held Thursday in Government House, Port Harcourt, said these projects to be unveiled were at final stages of completion.
The commissioner further hinted that the Executive Council also set up a committee for the disbursement of the monthly N200 million interest free loan set aside for traders and young entrepreneurs.
Interested traders and youths were advised to take advantage of the loan facility to boost their businesses.
Another major event was the inauguration of Board of Directors for Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency by the Governor.
Wike urged the board not to be swayed by the antics of opponents of the agency, noting that the duty of the establishment is central to the stability of the state.
Retired Brigadier-General Dick Ironabare is to serve as chairman while Uche Mike Chukwuma, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police is the Director-General of the agency.
The governor, last week, swore-in one new commissioner, Mr Akuro Alfred Tobin and five caretaker committee chairmen.
The CTC chairmen were: Ere Victor (Andoni), Azubuike Odum (Emohua), Nathaniel Pairo (Gokana), Father Lawrence Bagbe (Khana), Dere Ofokome (Okrika) and Mbakpone Friday (Tai).
In a similar vien, the governor approved the appointments of five more Special Assistants to the Governor. The new SAs are: Chimeka Nmerukini, Alfred Bamson and Chibuike Godson Ogbunelu. Others are: Emenike Fyneboy and Adokiye Oyaghiri.
Primary election conducted by PDP in the state for the forthcoming local government elections in the state also impacted on activities in Government House last week.
The governor who visited some election centres to ensure transparency announced the cancellation of primary councillorship election in Degema Local Government as the disqualification of all the chairmanship candidates for misconduct.
Wike held series of meeting with PDP stakeholders in some local government areas over the issues arising from the primary elections.
The visit on Wednesday by a delegation of the United Nations over the problem of soot in the state was yet another major event that took place in Government House, Port Harcourt last week.
Chris Oluoh
